ICC World Cup 2023 started with a storm as South Africa literally thrashed and spoiled the Sri Lankan bowling unit with an unbelievable batting display. Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium hosted the game, and the players didn’t disappoint the spectators and fans. Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to field first and then began the carnage. Quinton De Cock and Temba Bavuma started the proceedings for proteas. Dilshan Madushanka was the first one to draw blood by sending the Skipper back to the pavilion on just 8 runs.
Quinton was then joined in the middle by Van Der Dussen and the duo started to take on the Sri Lankan bowlers. One by one they peeled the skin of both, the bowlers and the ball, sending the ball across the park. Sri Lanka took the first wicket on 10 and then they had to wait for approx. 30 overs and 204 runs for the second wicket. Matheesha Pathirana sent Quinton back after he just got to his hundred. Quinton played an exceptional knock of 100 runs with the help of 12 boundaries and 3 sixes with a lightning strike rate of 119.05.
Markram then took the guard and for a moment, everyone felt like Ab De Villiers was in the middle of the ground. He literally took no time to settle in and began to play his shots across the park. On the other hand, Van Der Dussen was sent back to the pavilion by Dunith Wellalage on 108 runs. With the help of 13 boundaries and 2 sixes, Dussen changed the course of the game. Klaasen, who has been in blistering form since the beginning of the year showed his masterclass but also ensured that Markram stays on the crease for as long as possible. Markram took 50 balls to reach his century he also became the faster batter to score a century in a World Cup game.
With significant contributions down the order, South Africa scored a huge target of 428 runs. Everyone thought that it would be an easy win for South Africa, but Sri Lanka showed some resilience and a quality batting display in return. After losing 2 wickets on just 67 runs. Kusal Mendis, Asalanka, and Shanaka showed a decent batting display scoring 76, 79, and 68 runs respectively. Gerald Coetzee took 3 wickets in his 9 overs by conceding 68 runs. Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, and Keshav Maharaj took 2-2 wickets each to clinch a convincing victory over Sri Lanka and open their account with 102 runs victory.
Aiden Markram was awarded as Man of the Match for his magnificent knock of 106 runs in just 54 balls with the help of 14 boundaries and 3 sixes.
Multiple Records were broken during the 4th game of ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023:
- 3 Batters Smash Hundreds in Same Match of an ODI World Cup for the First Time. – Quinton De Kock (100), Van Der Dussen (108), and Aiden Markram (106).
- The record for Most Runs Scored in an ODI World Cup Match gets Broken – 754 Runs.
- Aiden Markram Scored the Fastest Hundred in ODI World Cup History.
- South Africa Scored the Highest Ever Total in ODI World Cup History – 428 Runs
Also Recommended: South Africa vs Sri Lanka full scorecard
